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General Motors U.S. Sales Down 3.5 Percent To 259,557 Units In April 2016

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 259,557 new vehicles in April 2016, a 3.5 percent decrease compared to April 2015. Overall sales of all four brands — Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac — decreased year-over-year as a result of significant reduction in sales to daily rental fleets.

However, the automaker delivered 200,656 vehicles to individual or “retail” customers in April, which is up 3.3 percent year-over-year, driven by a 13 percent increase at Buick, 5 percent increase at GMC and a 4 percent increase at Chevrolet.

“GM’s retail growth over the last 12 months has outpaced the industry by a wide margin because our redesigned large pickups and SUVs are hits, we made smart investments in new segments like small crossovers and mid-size pickups, and our momentum in the car business is accelerating with each new model introduction,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “GM bucked the industry trend with flat year-over incentives, we are managing with lean inventories and our Commercial and Government fleet business is growing.”

April 2016 notes (vs. April 2016, except as noted):

General Motors sales overview:

  • Sales types:
    • Overall sales volume decreased 3.5 percent to 259,557 units
      • Retail sales increased 3.3 percent to 200,656 units, or 77.3 percent of total sales
      • Fleet segment sales decreased 5.1 percent to 58,901 units, or 22.1 percent of total sales, which is in line with the company’s full-year guidance of 20 percent
        • Sales to daily rental fleets were down nearly 18,000 vehicles, or 39 percent
    • GM’s focus on higher margin retail and commercial sales is enabled by strategic reductions in deliveries to daily rental fleets, which will continue through 2016
    • Commercial sales increased 4 percent, the 30th consecutive month of growth
    • Government sales increased 21 percent
    • Small business deliveries were up 20 percent in April and 10 percent calendar-year-to-date
  • Average Transaction Prices (ATPs) based on J.D. Power PIN estimates:
    • ATPs, which reflect transaction prices after incentives, were approximately $35,400 in April, more than $4,200 above the industry average
    • GM’s incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 10.3 percent, well below domestic and many Asian competitors and in line with the industry average of 10.2 percent
      • The industry increased incentives year-over-year by 0.7 percentage points, while GM incentives were in-line with a year ago
  • New and future GM product includes:
  • April month-end inventory was 681,402 units for a 71 days supply, an increase of 17,770 units from the 663,632 units and 71 days supply at the end of March 2016
  • GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in April was 17.6 million units. On a calendar-year-to-date basis, GM estimates the light vehicle SAAR for calendar year 2016 was 17.4 million units.

Chevrolet sales decreased 2.3 percent to 183,442 units:

Cadillac sales decreased 28.9 percent to 11,236 units:

Buick sales decreased 2.8 percent to 17,720 units for its best April sales performance since 2004:

GMC sales decreased 0.1 percent to 47,159 units for its best April sales performance since 2004:

  • GMC retail sales increased 5 percent
  • GMC Acadia sales decreased 20.1 percent to 7,004 units
  • GMC Canyon sales increased 24.4 percent to 3,026 units
  • GMC Savana sales decreased 0.8 percent to 3,412 units
  • GMC Sierra sales increased 13.5 percent to 20,531 units for its best April sales performance ever
  • GMC Terrain sales decreased 16.5 percent to 7,344 units
  • GMC Yukon sales increased 5.3 percent to 3,324 units for its 8th consecutive month of year-over-year growth; retail Yukon sales were up 13 percent
  • GMC Yukon XL sales decreased 0.3 percent to 2,518 units; retail Yukon XL sales were up 8 percent

Sales Results - April 2016 - USA - Chevrolet

MODELAPR 2016 / APR 2015APRIL 2016APRIL 2015YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 YTD 2016YTD 2015
CAMARO+7.93% 7,4576,909+7.47%26,038 24,229
CAPRICE-87.76% 18147-60.96%203 520
CITY EXPRESS+208.19% 1,769574+79.70%4,383 2,439
COLORADO+47.82% 10,3627,010+26.19%32,982 26,136
CORVETTE-9.43% 3,1423,469-20.64%9,512 11,986
CRUZE-32.43% 14,15320,947-36.97%51,394 81,539
EQUINOX-28.59% 20,60728,856-14.80%80,486 94,469
EXPRESS+34.47% 6,6594,952+30.45%20,174 15,465
IMPALA-24.58% 8,24910,938+1.69%38,803 38,159
MALIBU+24.86% 21,76317,430+33.68%79,985 59,831
SILVERADO+8.73% 49,99045,978+3.64%178,955 172,672
SONIC-41.36% 5,1028,700-11.42%17,729 20,015
SPARK-17.66% 3,0823,743-35.88%8,237 12,847
SS+97.99% 592299+26.65%1,131 893
SUBURBAN+3.14% 4,2694,139-6.66%14,948 16,015
TAHOE-4.48% 7,5497,903-3.06%27,900 28,780
TRAVERSE+6.20% 12,18611,475-7.85%39,105 42,434
TRAX+30.69% 4,5103,451+38.82%18,237 13,137
VOLT+119.12% 1,983905+114.83%5,970 2,779
CHEVROLET TOTAL-2.34% 183,442187,837-1.24%656,172 664,393

Sales Results - April 2016 - USA - Cadillac

MODELAPR 2016 / APR 2015APRIL 2016APRIL 2015YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 YTD 2016YTD 2015
ATS-18.03% 1,7372,119-21.26%6,254 7,943
CT6* 285**320 *
CTS-22.65% 1,3351,726-16.57%5,308 6,362
ELR-8.65% 95104-13.98%357 415
ESCALADE-7.04% 1,8081,945+0.86%6,829 6,771
ESCALADE ESV-7.20% 1,1991,292-1.83%4,285 4,365
SRX-53.80% 2,9526,390-15.34%15,818 18,684
XT5* 304**304 *
XTS-31.64% 1,5212,225-12.33%7,394 8,434
CADILLAC TOTAL-28.89% 11,23615,801-11.53%46,869 52,976

Sales Results - April 2016 - USA - Buick

MODELAPR 2016 / APR 2015APRIL 2016APRIL 2015YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 YTD 2016YTD 2015
CASCADA* 1,090**2,487 *
ENCLAVE+1.62% 4,5234,451+1.19%17,457 17,252
ENCORE+17.93% 6,5895,587+21.33%23,808 19,623
LACROSSE-49.43% 1,8133,585-21.74%10,788 13,784
REGAL-20.70% 1,3061,647+13.50%6,843 6,029
VERANO-18.79% 2,3992,954-11.71%10,624 12,033
BUICK TOTAL-2.77% 17,72018,224+4.78%72,007 68,721

Sales Results - April 2016 - USA - GMC

MODELAPR 2016 / APR 2015APRIL 2016APRIL 2015YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 YTD 2016YTD 2015
ACADIA-20.11% 7,0048,767-12.22%25,575 29,136
CANYON+24.42% 3,0262,432+10.63%10,603 9,584
SAVANA-0.76% 3,4123,438-13.64%7,536 8,726
SIERRA+13.54% 20,53118,082+13.29%71,662 63,255
TERRAIN-16.47% 7,3448,792-14.30%31,302 36,525
YUKON+5.26% 3,3243,158+9.28%12,309 11,264
YUKON XL-0.28% 2,5182,525+8.28%9,220 8,515
GMC TOTAL-0.07% 47,15947,194+0.72%168,207 167,005

Sales Results - April 2016 - USA - GM Totals

BRANDAPR 2016 / APR 2015APRIL 2016APRIL 2015YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 YTD 2016YTD 2015
CHEVROLET TOTAL-2.34% 183,442187,837-1.24%656,172 664,393
CADILLAC TOTAL-28.89% 11,23615,801-11.53%46,869 52,976
BUICK TOTAL-2.77% 17,72018,224+4.78%72,007 68,721
GMC TOTAL-0.07% 47,15947,194+0.72%168,207 167,005
GM USA TOTAL-3.53% 259,557269,056-1.03%943,255 953,095

About The Numbers

  • There were 27 selling days in April 2016 and 26 selling days in April 2015
  • Cadillac totals include discontinued Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevrolet totals include discontinued Captiva Sport

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Comments

  1. Suprizing to me is why GM’s full size SUV’s ( not GMC ) sales are decreasing in an age with low fuel costs .
    Could it be that the consumer doesn’t want these big SUV’s anymore .

    Reply
    1. Attributable to decrease in rental fleet sales. These used to be fleet queens, but not anymore.

      Reply
  2. Cadillac sales are the real surprise for me.
    I thought the older models would hold their own compared to last year with a slight increase in the ever popular Escalade year over year while the new models (XT5 and CT6) would provide the boost to get a net increase in sales.

    Reply
    1. I expect the CT6 and XT5 to provide the boost, but not until June sales results, which is when dealers will be fully stocked with those two new models. Current inventory is very low on both of those.

      Here’s to hoping that the current lineup will indeed hold their own until the all-new replacements.

      Reply
      1. If there’s a boost, it will be short-lived. Basically, I think XT5 sales will replace SRX sales and CT6 will replace XTS sales. In fact, I don’t think — volume-wise — they’ll come close to hitting last year’s numbers come the fall: the SRX moved a ton of product in 2015 (68,000 sales) and it’s far-fetched to think the more expensive XT5 will hit that.

        With the ATS and CTS bombing in the marketplace (I’m talking sales; not how good those two cars are), there’s no reason to think the CT6 will sell in huge numbers — the marketplace has turned away from sedans, in general, and that’s especially true of Cadillac.

        Basically, Cadillac’s volume is going to suffer until they get many more cross-overs. Their ATP will go up, which is good, but their terrible volume is still disappointing, considering how well-received their cars have been in the auto press.

        Reply
        1. The CT6 is not an immediate replacement for the XTS as that model will soldier on for the next few years at least.
          Yes the SRX had a banner year but that was with an excessively long in the tooth model. There is reason to think that the XT5 will have similar success. Also the SRX will keep being sold until inventory is gone.

          Reply
          1. I know the XTS will still exist, but for certain buyers, who previously when they wanted a “big” Cadillac, they would have bought an XTS. Now they’ll buy CT6.

            The XTS and SRX sales dipping so huge is an indicator of how the CT6 and XT5 are viewed — some buyers who would have bought they old models are waiting until the new models arrive at their dealer. My point is that there won’t be enough of those new buyers, comparatively, for sales volumes to be stables compared to 2015/very early 2016.

            Reply
            1. I was always truly amazed at how well the SRX especially did in 2015 considering how ‘old’ it was.
              I had thought there might be as much as a 10% year over year increase in NA Cadillac sales with the 2 new models along with continued strong demand for Escalades plus a leveling of volume for ATS & CTS.

              Now I would be happy with breaking even.

              Reply
              1. Its not that amazing when you consider other then the ATS, the SRX is the most affordable Cadilac on the lots. This is the age old problem plenty of people talked about for the last few years. Cadillac has entered a price bracket that it has yet to gain enough buyers with. Most of Cadillac regulars went elsewhere and the other crowd of German and Japanese luxo buyers want nothing to do with Cadillac, no matter how good the product is. So getting back to the SRX its really the only Cadillac that is both functional and affordable to more people which is why sales have been good. Its not a good problem for Cadillac to have unfortunately.

                Reply
        2. Rob — yes, over time, sales of the CT6 will indeed replace those of the XTS. But I do believe that the XT5 will sell better than the SRX since it is a more competitive/newer vehicle, but its sales success will be determined by production constraints. In other words, if Cadillac could make 10,000 units of the XT5 a month (and deliver those units to dealers and hence customers in a timely fashion), then it would sell that many.

          I think it’s premature to say that the marketplace has turned away from sedans. Yes, the market place is buying more crossovers than sedans… but there is still a significant opportunity to sell those vehicles in large volumes and make an equally large profit. Cadillac’s problem is that its sedans are currently less competitive and its brand is less desirable… both should change over time.

          The part I think is vital to note is this:

          “The ATS, CTS, and XTS all gained year-over-year retail market share in their respective segments.”

          That is key and very good news, as is the increase in ATP. Note that the ATP growth wasn’t the result of more Escalade sales, since Escalade volume was down YOY.

          Reply
          1. Alex–Have to disagree that the increase in ATP wasn’t the result of the Escalade sales, by my math sure was! In April of this year the Escalades represented 26.8% of the total vehicles sold, whereas last year Escalades represented 20.5%. Yes Escalade sales where down but represent a much higher percentage of the sales in 2016.

            Reply
            1. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn’t. Did the Escalade contribute to a growth in the ATP? Sure. But so did the other models.

              The point is that retail sales are up and, specifically, Cadillac gained in market share in sedan segments, as reported in the Cadillac section.

              Reply
              1. Try this please?

                2016: 11236 vehicles sold at ATP $54,600=pool $613,485,600
                Minus 3007 Escalades at $80K =pool 240,560,000
                Pool for non-Escalades –8229 372,985,600
                ATP for Non Escalades $45,320

                2015: 15801 vehicles sold at ATP $53,000=pool $837,453,000
                Minus 3237 Escalades at $80K =pool 258,960,000
                Pool for non-Escalades -12,564 578,493,000
                ATP for Non Escalades $46,058

                So excluding Escalades ATP actually decreased from 2015 to 2016.

                Believe I’m conservative on Escalade ATP since last figures I saw indicated $81K for regular Escalades and $85K for ESV.

                Bottom line in both years is $45-$46K for a luxury line is sort of mediocre!

                Reply
                1. Thanks for the breakout. Assuming your figures are close to reality, $45-46k ATP is actually decent for a brand without an Escalade sedan equivalent (CT6/8) and with only a single crossover, one that is relatively cheap (from ATP standpoint). The current non-Escalade ATP is also relatively good given Cadillac’s current brand image, which trails those of its direct German rivals.

                  I truly believe that Caddy’s sales volume and ATP will continue to climb as the lineup grows and brand image improves. Both are long-term endeavors. Which brings me to my question: are you critiquing for the sake of critiquing, or is there an underlying point/message I’m missing?

                  Reply
                  1. No underlying message just a pragmatist! Call a spade a spade and have not bought into theory that all is great with Cadillac:GM. I dislike Kool-Aid!

                    Have owned 20 some GM vehicles and only 2 nonGM.

                    GM has a long way to go! Just look at their margins compared to Ford! If I were a GM stockholder I would not be totally happy with everything currently being pursued.

                    Reply
                    1. Ah ok, understood.

                      Of course not everything is awesome and rosy at GM or Cadillac! They are still turning the ship around, one that sunk 6-7 years ago. And despite it being 7 years, it is not close to being over or complete. This is especially true of Cadillac (in the regard of expanding the product portfolio and improving the brand image).

                      However, things across both GM and Cadillac are significantly better than they were pre-bankruptcy. A lot of progress in the right direction has been made. The groundwork either has been laid or is still being laid, and the fruits of the labor haven’t entirely sprung yet.

                      That said, give it 10 years and we should be having an entirely different conversation.

                      I think that’s a pretty accurate assessment of the company, sans of Kool Aid 🙂

                      Reply
                  2. ATP’s important.

                    But Johan said they’re 10 years away from 11% margins, though … BMW’s been at 15% for years, and already have the X1, X3 and X5. And a strong dealership system. (Just using them as an example – not a huge fan.)

                    It’s hard to get enthused, or figure out a way to spin a -28% month into anything positive. And launching the XT5 with a lease deal and/or cut-rate financing – doesn’t strike me as a terribly confident move.

                    I know “Dare Greatly” was meant to be an inspiring, shared ethos between engineers/designers and buyers – but it’s starting to feel more like “Dare You To Buy One.”

                    The brand is damaged. Hard to tell if the realities of the market and management will give them the time they need to turn this $12b+ ship around.

                    Then again, maybe they’ll pull a Leicester City – Cadillac’s odds have to be better than 5000-to-1.

                    Reply
                    1. I agree that it will take a lot of work and time to turn Cadillac around. But I don’t think it’s impossible. In fact, the odds are in their favor if they continue doing the right things and doing things right.

                      Also: why do you find fault with the lease and finance deals on the XT5? Every automaker does this…

                      Reply
      2. Fair enough about the inventory constraints however CT6 has been on the market now for a full month and should have garnered more than 300 units of volume.

        Reply
        1. While it’s true that the CT6 has been “on the market” for a month, it should be noted that it has been in very limited availability. I don’t think that many units have reached dealers yet. Give it until June-July to hit full stride as it relates to sales.

          Reply
  3. The expectation is that the CT6 will in time exceed the XTS in sales. Lets face it the XTS was not performing as well as it should have for its slot. Also much of the sales they did have were fleet or livery units with low profits.

    As for ATP yes Martin we know the Escalade is the king of the ATP for Cadillac but the rest of the line is much more profitable than any other models GM sells. For what it cost to build these cars and the prices they get for them they make a good return on each. I expect with the improvements in the future the profits will only increase.

    Reply
    1. Sadly the pickups and large SUVs are the real profit generators. Rather than making the Silverado/Sierra class leading the money is spent on Cadillac and I’m not comfortable that investment will pay off.

      GM will play catch up to Ford with pickups. Ford pioneers aluminum, IHS top pick and next year 10-speed automatic and an ecoboost 6 with 460 lbs torque! Both Ford and Ram have increased sales at s higher rate than GM twins this year.

      Reply
      1. You speak as a politician. You say something true but you leave out the rest.

        We all know trucks are the profit center as even blind man knows the numbers there so you are not being original on this thought.

        What you tend to leave out is sedans in the luxury class are the second most profitable car on the road. Even in low numbers the Cadillac cars can generate over 50% of the sedan profits at GM and most other companies. This is why Lincoln got a reprieve and all automakers have at least one form up upscale car.

        You are not comfortable with this because you are poorly informed on the other half.

        Now add CUV and smaller SUV sales to the mix at Cadillac and it will pay off. Even as it is they are making money and more money than most other per car units.

        As for the Aluminum Fords you really a sucker for marketing. There is no catching up as the GM trucks are nearly as light as Ford had to go Aluminum to catch up. GM has spent years using Boron Steel to go lighter and remain even stronger on sheet metal. Also while a little more expensive it is still cheaper than Aluminum.

        The IHS generally picks the newest truck and who has the newest truck Ford. Nothing odd there.

        The 10 Speed is also a GM product that Ford has a hand in funding. That is why the Ford trucks are testing at the GM proving grounds as GM did the bulk of the work. Do not be fooled they will not have their own soon and paid a smaller part of the deal like they did with the BMW transmission they made for them and used in their own cars.

        Sales fluctuate and Fords are up on new models and Rams have been up on discounts. GM is not doing as many sales if you have noted and are making more money. This will change when GM has their new model in the near future too. Ram is no where near catching the others and will fall farther behind as they are not seeing the funds from FCA to get a new truck here sooner.

        We will see a increase in Aluminum but we also will see a use of mixed metals like the Omega. There also will be a use of Micrometals very soon as it is cheaper than Aluminum and much stronger.

        Fords move to aluminum was a must as they had the heaviest trucks in the industry by a large margin. They also act like this is something new but Aluminum trucks are the norm in most other sizes. Grumman has made them since WW II.

        Martin you really need to get a grip as most of us here have seen these new product cycles for years and many cycles at that.

        Ford if anything is behind on the mid size truck as they have one but are late to the party. The Ranger is designed to be here but they were afraid to take the risk. It will be here at some point but when?

        Benz has a truck coming as well as Ram and Jeep.

        You need to watch as much of the half ton market will be pushed to the mid size and most full size may gain the 3/4 ton or more ratings to avoid the CAFE issues on the half tons. This way you can still get a large truck but the smaller one will take up the lower weight class. You can only put so much aluminum in and cut so many cylinders,

        Reply
  4. The XT5 better be a home run for Cadillac. Its really the only hope at this point as all of the other models have leveled off (Escalade) or are in decline (ATS,CTS, XTS). I group CT6 and ELR together as low volume models that are unlikely to make significant impact on sales. The CT6 will raise the coveted ATP a bit, but in reality, that higher ATP number is driven by the Escalade.

    Reply
    1. It will be fine as will the flood of new products we will see most of them CUV models.

      Now there is a name for Cadillac the ATP. Too bad they went to the CT naming or we could have worked it in. LOL!.

      Reply

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